Killing Bridezilla (Jaine Austen Mysteries) (Hardcover)

by Laura Levine (Author)
Key Phrases: secret gazebo, Laura Levine, Hermosa High, Miss Emily (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Jaine Austen, indefatigable L.A. crime-solver and pen-for-hire, finds herself rewriting Shakespeare for a bitchy bride in Levine's rollicking seventh cozy (after 2007's Death by Pantyhose). Patti Marshall Devane, a former Hermosa High classmate, employs Jaine to write Patti's wedding ceremony based on Romeo and Juliet in lieu of traditional vows: make it 'snappy.' Like Friends with swords and long dresses. Jaine learns that Patti stole her groom, Hermosa alum Dickie Potter, from another grad, and Patti only allows her thin friends to participate in the wedding. Adding to the drama, Dickie's geeky best man still pines for Jaine. Dickie's drunken ex-wife disrupts the Bel Air ceremony, which climaxes with Patti's plunge off a balcony onto a stone cupid's arrow. Jaine suspects murder, though figuring out whodunit requires some fast thinking and fancy footwork. Levine's slick wit and sure pacing makes this another hit in this entertaining series. (June)
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From Booklist
The latest Jaine Austen mystery has the freelance writer and amateur detective working for her high-school nemesis, Patti Marshall Devane. Patti wants Jaine to write the vows for her wedding to Dickie Potter, a then-geeky, now-hunky former classmate, an upbeat rewrite of Romeo and Juliet. Patti hasn’t changed much—she’s still beautiful, rich, and extremely mean. When this ultimate bridezilla plunges from a balcony on her wedding day, there are plenty of people who are happy to see her dead. Jaine takes the case on behalf of Dickie’s ex-wife, the prime suspect and another former classmate, and finds herself entangled in high-school memories in pursuit of the murderer. Levine blends chick-lit and mystery in this funny and surprise-filled novel. Anyone who has ever had a high-school enemy will enjoy this tale of the ultimate just rewards. --Aleksandra Walker

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075822043X
• ISBN-13: 978-0758220431
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #453,466 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 7 in The Jaine Austen Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Do! Like this Book!, June 7, 2008

By	J. E. Stephens "Jeanne" (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jaine has a lot of high school flashbacks in the latest edition of this series. Patti Marshall was the high school bully. She hires Jaine to write her wedding vows.

It turns out that Patti stole a former classmate's husband at the class reunion. Jaine revisits many of her high school classmates while working for Patti.

This was an excellent book. They just keep getting better and better in this series. I am looking forward to the next one!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe the best of the series, June 1, 2008

By	E. Louis (Seal Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I laughed out loud while staying interested in the basic mystery.

Although some past books have overdone the email exchange with
her parents, it was just right in this one. It was funny
but the story line wasn't over-the-top and it wasn't intrusive
to the plot.

The embarrassing things that happen to Janie in this book are so
funny, you can't help but laugh and feel good about your own life.

Definitely buy this book!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When "I Do" Becomes "I Die", May 27, 2008

By	Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Of all the people from high school Jaine never wanted to hear from again, Patti Marshall topped the list. So when Patti calls with the offer of a job, it's only the pay check that gets Jaine to agree to take it.

The job is rewriting Shakespeare, turning Romeo and Juliet into a Friends like piece with a much happier ending. Patti wants these lines as the opening act for her wedding, an event that is driving everyone crazy. Seems Patti hasn't changed her evil ways from high school and she continues to bully the caterer, florist, and even one of the bridesmaids who has unfortunately gained a few pounds (okay, lots of pounds) since high school.

So when the opening act of the wedding turns into murder, the only surprise to Jaine is how it happens. Now Jaine needs to wade into a high school reunion of sorts to find out who sent Patti on her fatal plunge. Can she find the killer before it is too late?

While I always enjoy catching Jaine's latest adventure, this has to be one of the strongest entries in the series. The mystery was confusing and had me going until the very end. Yet it all made logical sense. And the murder here is one of the most creative in a series known for unusual murders. The cast of characters are very colorful. There are plenty of laughs throughout. In fact, it contains the funniest scene in the entire series. And the sub-plot involving the e-mails from her parents is hysterical as well.

With entries this strong, this delightful series shows no signs of slowing down. If you are looking for a light, funny mystery, this is definitely the book for you.